Stanley announces candidacy for Oak Ridge City Council race

Following “prayerful consideration,” Dr. David Stanley has announced that he will run as a candidate for Oak Ridge City Council in November 2014.

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By Special to The Oak Ridger

Oakridger - Oak Ridge, TN

By Special to The Oak Ridger

Posted Aug. 6, 2013 at 6:09 PM

By Special to The Oak Ridger
Posted Aug. 6, 2013 at 6:09 PM

Following “prayerful consideration,” Dr. David Stanley has announced that he will run as a candidate for Oak Ridge City Council in November 2014.

“It has been a blessing and privilege to live, raise my family and serve the area as a physician in Oak Ridge for more than 35 years,” a July 31, 2013, announcement to The Oak Ridger stated. “During that time, I have enjoyed so many friendships with patients, co-workers, neighbors and other citizens of Oak Ridge.”

Stanley grew up in Maryville. After completing medical school, vascular surgery specialty training and two years in Southeast Asia as a medical doctor with the Tom Dooley Foundation, Stanley looked forward to returning to East Tennessee.

After spending a couple of days as the guest of Dr. Robert Bigelow and meeting “the outstanding medical staff” at MMC, Stanley said he recognized how special “the Secret City” is.

“We were impressed and excited with the history of Oak Ridge, the international aura of our town and the beauty of our lake and parks. What a perfect place to raise a family and to introduce the new specialty of vascular surgery,” Stanley said.

“Not only did Oak Ridge produce nuclear energy to end World War II and save millions of lives, nuclear medicine was being developed that is now widely utilized to diagnose and treat patients all over the world and saving many lives.”

Dr. Paul Spray, an orthopedic surgeon, introduced Stanley to The International College of Surgeons. “And Methodist Medical Center welcomed many of the latest surgical techniques that we mastered in Europe through the International College surgical activities,” Stanley recalled. “This continuing worldwide exposure contributed to our Methodist Medical Center staff continuing the Oak Ridge tradition of the latest scientific expertise.”

Stanley said his four sons and stepdaughter enjoyed “the quality educators and sports activities in our public schools.” Due to the “Christian environment and learning opportunities while growing up,” Stanley said “they have successful careers and provide for their families.

“Marilyn, my wife of over 25 years, my best adviser and dearest companion, has served our hospital and community as a clinical secretary, a nurse and as a successful local business woman. Together, we have enjoyed many church activities and service clubs such as Rotary, the Girls Club, Scouts, Methodist Medical Foundation and volunteer organizations. And we continue to manage several local businesses.”

Stanley stated: “Today, after prayerful consideration and with Marilyn’s blessing, I am officially announcing as a candidate for Oak Ridge City Council in the Nov. 4, 2014 election.

Page 2 of 2 - “If elected to City Council, I will respectfully listen to your concerns and suggestions and evaluate Council actions based on our citizens’ goals and the efficient utilization of our city’s resources. I will professionally evaluate documented successes and failures of past proposed solutions in Oak Ridge and similar cities. And I will openly discuss issues in city meetings and encourage interested citizens to attend meetings, access websites and read news articles to stay informed.”

Stanley said that some items that have been mentioned to him for attention include:

• Encouraging small businesses to locate in Oak Ridge and making it easier for them to serve us;

• Lower taxes that would encourage young working families to choose Oak Ridge employment and housing;

• More recreation activities in the city for youth and young adults; and

• Joining together as a community in decreasing drug addiction and crime by helping neighbors via our service clubs, churches, schools, law enforcement, neighborhoods and medical community.

“Oak Ridge has been a wonderful place to live,” Stanley said. “With the need to consider conservation of energy and with the increasing price of gas, the advantages of living in Oak Ridge — where we work — has many advantages compared to making a commute every day from neighboring communities.

“Life is good in the city of Oak Ridge and even better opportunities are ahead of us.”